Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1.Prepare Dal for Pressure Cooking

   Wash 1 glass (approx 1 cup) of Toor dal twice. Add the washed dal to a pressure cooker along with enough water, 5-6 peeled garlic cloves, 4 large chopped tomatoes, and 1 tablespoon of oil.

2. 2.Pressure Cook the Dal

   Close the pressure cooker and cook for 6 whistles on high flame until the dal is soft and mushy.

3. 3.Prepare Tamarind

   Wash a small ball of tamarind and soak it in hot water to extract the pulp later.

4. 4.Chop Vegetables

   Slice 2 large onions and chop 1 bunch of drumsticks (approximately 200g) into small pieces.

5. 5.Mash the Cooked Dal

   Once the dal is cooked and the pressure is released, open the cooker. Drain any excess water from the dal. Transfer the dal to a clay pot and mash it thoroughly with a wooden masher until smooth. Set aside.

6. 6.Start Tempering

   Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a kadai (wok). Add 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds and 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds. Once they splutter, add a few sprigs of curry leaves.

7. 7.Sauté Onions

   Add the sliced onions to the kadai and sauté until they become translucent. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to help the onions cook faster.

8. 8.Add Drumsticks and Spices

   Add the chopped drumsticks to the kadai and sauté along with the onions until they are slightly tender. Then, add 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder and 2-3 tablespoons of homemade sambar masala. Mix all ingredients well.

9. 9.Simmer Vegetables

   Add 1 cup of water to the vegetables and spices. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer until the drumsticks are cooked through and the flavors meld.

10. 10.Combine Dal and Vegetables

    Add the mashed dal to the simmering vegetables in the kadai. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.

11. 11.Add Tamarind Pulp

    Extract the pulp from the soaked tamarind and add it to the sambar. Stir well to incorporate the tangy flavor.

12. 12.Garnish and Serve

    Taste the sambar and adjust salt if necessary. Garnish generously with chopped coriander leaves. The delicious homemade sambar is now ready to be served.